(News release from the Gonzales Inquirer, Gonzales, Texas) — As if things aren't bad enough right now...Gonzales city officials announced Thursday afternoon that floodwaters from the Guadalupe River flowed into the city’s collection facility for domestic wastewater at about 8 a.m. Thursday, causing the accidental discharge of 200,000 gallons of untreated sewage. Discharged water flowed into Tinsley Creek and then to the Guadalupe River. According to Jerry James, Director, Intergovernmental Relations for the City of Victoria, "with the large amount of flow in the river it will not affect us this far downstream. We also are regularly checking the water quality of the stream."  James also stated that after the flood of '98 the birm around our plant was raised and this flood will not rise enough to breach that, so our plan will remain functional and is not in danger of releasing any raw sewage back into the Guadalupe River.

The public is advised to avoid contact with waste material, soil or water potentially affected by the spill. If any contact does occur, you should bathe and wash clothing as thoroughly as possible, the statement from the Water Department said.
A boil water notice has been issued for anyone using a private water well within a half-mile of the spill site or within the potentially affected area.
Well users should use only distilled water, or water that has been boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for drinking, cooking, bathing and toothbrushing.
All private water wells should be tested and disinfected, if needed, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling procedures.
City of Gonzales is not affected by the spill. The city draws water a couple of miles upstream from the affected area. The intake from the Guadalupe River for the city’s water system is above the dam and hydroelectric facility.
Those who purchase water from another public water supply may contact their distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use.
To prevent future intrusions of floodwater, the City of Gonzales intends to build berms and to pump the fluids away from the facility. Cleanup activities have been initiated.
The Corpus Christi Regional Office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was notified immediately of the accidental discharge.

 

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